Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Monday, criticized the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, for not reaching out to commiserate with him over the recent explosion in Ibadan.
Makinde expressed his disappointment while commending Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, who visited him to offer condolences at the Government House in Ibadan.
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peter Obi’s outreach, Makinde highlighted Atiku’s absence in reaching out through a call or text message regarding the incident.
Makinde thanked Peter Obi for his prompt response and expressed gratitude for his visit, emphasizing the importance of governance, politics, and humanity in times of crisis. He underscored the need for government responsiveness and support for affected individuals and families.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Oyo State, I thank His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi, former governor of Anambra State and also the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last presidential election.
“I thank you because politics didn’t sip into this. You came here to commiserate with us over the explosion. Though investigation details are still going on, it was simply illegal miners storing explosives in an environment where they shouldn’t be. It is a place meant for people to live in not a mining site.
“So, all the lapses that allowed such to happen are being looked into. I am particularly grateful because you are three musketeers that went into that election. The president has reached out to me, you have reached out to me but my own party candidate, not even a call or a text message.
“I am saying this openly so that our leaders will know that you will have time for politics, you have time for governance and you have time for humanity. So, we want to say thank you so much sir and we appreciate this visit,” Makinde said.
Peter Obi, in his address, extended condolences to the affected families and assured them of prayers for those who lost their lives. He commended Governor Makinde for his swift response to the explosion and emphasized the importance of government support during crises.
The LP chieftain also thanked “the governor for his prompt response. That is what governance should be. When there is a problem like I have told him privately, he might not bring back the lost lives or replace properties that were lost, but that response gives assurances and confidence to the people that there is a government, a system that cares for them.
“So, we thank you for that response and also ensuring that a proper investigation starts in earnest and also setting up a kind of support facilities to be able to support people who are going through problems, that’s basically why we are here.”
The Ibadan explosion caused extensive damage to numerous houses within a 14-kilometre radius.
Ada Peter